Ripple is deepening its engagement with blockchain academia through a major funding push across the Asia-Pacific region. With a Ripple $5M Blockchain Grant, the blockchain company is expanding its University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI) to support next-generation innovation and research.
Ripple Grant Expands Academic Footprint in APAC
The Ripple $5M Blockchain Grant builds on the firm’s earlier $25 million global investment into academic blockchain programs. This latest wave of funding brings fresh momentum to Ripple’s mission of developing decentralized solutions through education and collaboration.
Ripple’s strategy includes renewing long-term collaborations with institutions while establishing new ones in countries where digital finance is evolving rapidly.
Strengthening Research in South Korea and Japan
In South Korea, Ripple has extended its six-year partnership with Korea University through a $1.1 million grant. It is also continuing its collaboration with Yonsei University to expand blockchain development efforts.
Meanwhile, in Japan, the Ripple $5M Blockchain Grant supports ongoing partnerships with Kyoto University and the University of Tokyo. Combined, these institutions have received over $1.5 million in grants. Notably, one research project focuses on building an autonomous AI agent network on the XRP Ledger.
Ripple’s investment allows broader access to XRPL technology and encourages hands-on learning in real-world blockchain environments.
Taiwan Embraces Tokenization Research
Ripple’s newest university partner is the National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology (NKUST) in Taiwan. Spearheaded by Dr. Echo Huang, the research program will explore the technical and regulatory challenges of real-world asset (RWA) tokenization across the XRP Ledger, Ethereum, and Solana blockchains.
Thanks to the Ripple $5M Blockchain Grant, NKUST will launch an XRPL Student Builders Club and operate its own validator node. This expansion aligns with Taiwan’s growing interest in asset tokenization, bolstered by government initiatives and financial industry support.
Blockchain Legal Innovation in Australia
In Australia, Ripple is increasing support for academic institutions. The grant renews its partnership with Australian National University (ANU) and adds Victoria University to its academic network. Ripple’s total investment in Australia now exceeds $1.3 million.
The Ripple $5M Blockchain Grant will enable ANU to advance its legal studies related to blockchain, digital payments, and smart contracts. It will also fund research into Evernode, a proposed Layer 2 solution for the XRP Ledger. ANU will continue publishing research in the ANU Journal of Law and Technology and running its XRPL validator.
Ripple’s Grant Powers Blockchain Research Across APAC
Thanks to the Ripple $5M Blockchain Grant, universities across the region are tackling complex challenges in blockchain infrastructure. Projects include:
- Blockchain sharding optimization at Korea University.
- Privacy-preserving technologies like zk-SNARKs and ZKPs.
- Development of secure crypto devices that hide transactions but allow audits.
- Improvements in zk-SNARK performance led by Professor Hyunok Oh at Hanyang University.
These efforts are helping shape the next wave of secure and scalable blockchain solutions.
Investing in the Future of Blockchain
The Ripple $5M Blockchain Grant is more than just funding—it’s a strategic investment in the long-term development of blockchain ecosystems. By backing high-impact academic research and fostering innovation through real-world engagement, Ripple is nurturing a new generation of blockchain leaders.
As adoption of blockchain continues to expand, Ripple’s support of education, research, and technical development will position the XRP Ledger at the forefront of decentralized innovation in APAC.
